Spark-gap device



R. F. VAN METER. SPARK GAP DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 2E, |919.

Patented May 25, 1920.

w mmmmmm Sii uNiTEDH STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD F. VAN METER, F MINNEAPOLISQMINNESOTA.

SPARK-GAP DEVICE.

certain new and useful Improvements in Spark-Gap Devices, of which the following is a specification. 0

My invention relates to spark gap devices and an object in general is to provide a device which. will act to intensify the spark which is produced by the usual spark plugs y by thel spark plu used in cylinders of internal vcombustion engines. The weaker the spark produced by the spark plugs, the slower will be the propagation o flame in the explosive mixture, which necessitates a greater advance to thefspark. On the other hand, the hotter the spark, the less early it must occur in advance of dead center, since there is a direct relation between the heat of the spark and the speed of flame propagation in the mixture. By bringing the timing of the spark nearer dead center, more power is generated in the forward direction to drive the pistons and less fuel is required. In order to intensify the spark in the combustion cylinder I employ a spark gap device which produces a spark in the circuit leading to the spark plug, this sparkacting to intensify and bui d u the spark produced ince this preliminary spark is produce outside of the combustion c linder, where it might meet with objecttion from the fire underwriters, a special object f my invention is to-provide a device which cannot produce an explosion if -it should be surrounded by an explgsniye mixture. A further object is to construct a spark ga device so that the spark may be readily o served and at the same time will not prevent the entrance of air-to the gap in which the spark is produced. In this way the strengthcf-the preliminary spark is maintained onaccount of there always bel ing a sufficient supply of oxygen from the air, while the driver can. tell at a glance whether or notthe spark is being produced.

The full objects and advantages of my invention will appear in connection with the detailed descrlption thereof and the novel features embodied in my inventive idea will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

nited States, resid-- my device attached to t Specification of Letters Patent. Patented DIay 25, 1920,

Application led I'ay 26, 1919. Serial No. 299,717.

which illustrate the application of my invention in one form, f

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing e dash of an automobile. Fig. 2 is a face view partly in section of my device. Fig. 3 is a view on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is a view on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the customary coil box, which is secured to the dash of an automobile with wires 12 leading from a source of electrical energy to the primary coils in the coil box. The secondary or high tension coils in the coil box arecustomarily connected to the binding posts 14. Instead of connecting these binding posts directl to the spark plugs as usual, the following evice for producing a preliminary spark Ibefore the current reaches the spark plugs is provided. A strip 16 of insulating material such as fiber 1s provided with metal eyelets 18 adapted to be placed over the posts 14 and secured in place thereon by nuts 20. Since the eyelets and parts associated therewith are all alike, and since separate insulating strips may be used in connection with each binding post, a description of the parts associated with one of the eyelets will be sufficient. A terminal member or rod 22 is mounted in the strip 16 so as to be in contact with an eyelet 18 and the outer end of this rod is attened so that the position of the rod which is screwthreaded at 23 may be readily adjusted. The inner end of the terminal 22 lies Witliinarecess formed inthe strip 16 so as to be separated by a gap 24 from a second terminal or rod 26 which is securedin the strip 16 in contact with a metal stud or rivet 28 also secured to the strip. In contact with this stud and held in place thereby is a hook 3() Wire gauze 38 is secured over the recess containing the gap 24. A convenient manner of securing the member 38 in place is shown in F ig. 3 in ,which this member is/formed in a cup shape and the outer periphery is turned out to form a marginal flange 4() which is clamped between the strip 16 and the piece 36 to securely hold this member in place. The periphery of the member 38 as shown in Fig. 3 is larger than the periphery of the open side of the recess whereby the liability of sparks jumping to the member 38 is avoided.

The operation and advantages ot' my invention will be readily vunderstood from the foregoing description. T he wire gauze prevents the passage of flame outside of the recess in Which the spark is produced and avoids any objection which might otherwise be made by the fire underwriters. In addition to this, the wire gauze permits entrance of air to the space in which the spark is produced and allows the spark to be readily observed. The Wire gauze, therefore, has a three-fold function. The construction and location of the wire gauze member is such that there is no liability of sparks jumping across to this member.

I claim:

l. A spark gap device for internal combustion engines comprising a strip of insulating material having a recess, two terminals having their adjacent ends spaced from each other in said recess, a piece of insulating material attached to said strip and having an opening in register with the open side of said recess, a cup-shaped Wire gauze member having its periphery clamped between said strip and said piece oi insulating mate.- rial, and means for connecting said ternunals in the circuit leading to the spa rkplug of the engine.

2. A spark `gap device for. internal conibustion engines comprising a support oi' inA sulating material having a recess, two terminals mounted in said support and having their adjacent ends spaced from each other in said recess, a cup-shaped wire gauze meinber having a periphery larger than the periphery of the open side of said recess, means for securing said. cup-shaped wire gauze member over said open side with its bottom outward, and means for connecting said terminals in the circuit leading to the spark plug .of the engine.

3. A spark gap device for internal combustion engines comprising a support ot insulating material having` a recess, two terminals mounted in said support and having their adjacent ends spaced from each other in said recess, a cup-shaped wire gauze nien1- ber having a periphery larger than the pc riphery of the open side of said recess, a

piece of insulating material attached to said support and having an opening, the periphery of which engages the periphery of said cupshaped wire gauze member to hold the latter over said open side, with its bottom outward, and means for connecting said terminals in the circuit leading to the spark plug of the engine.

In testimony whereof I hereunto signature.

RICHARD F. VAN ME' ER aflix my 

